Think You’re Too Young to Register a Lasting Power of Attorney? Think Again.
Key Takeaways:
- LPAs aren’t just for later life — They protect your finances, health, and business interests at any age, giving trusted people authority to act if you can’t.
- Act early while you have capacity — The process takes time, and you must be mentally capable to register. Waiting until illness or injury strikes can leave loved ones powerless.
- Affordable protection, lasting peace of mind — With fees currently at £82 (rising to £92 in November 2025), registering an LPA now can save thousands later in court costs.
Most people associate Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs) with later life — something to think about once retirement, grey hairs, or grandchildren arrive. But in reality, an LPA is one of the smartest and most protective legal documents you can set up at any age.
Only 14% of UK adults have registered an LPA, according to recent government figures. Yet awareness is growing fast, as more people recognise how crucial it is to plan ahead — not just for the elderly, but for anyone with assets, dependents, or responsibilities.
If you own a home, run a business, have savings, or simply want control over your future decisions, an LPA should be on your radar.
What is a Lasting Power of Attorney?
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that allows you (the donor) to appoint one or more trusted people (your attorneys) to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the ability to make them yourself in the future.
There are two main types of LPA:
1. Property and Financial Affairs LPA (LPA PF)
This gives your attorney the power to manage your money, assets, and property, including:
- Paying bills or mortgages
- Managing bank accounts and savings
- Collecting income, benefits, or pensions
- Selling or maintaining property
2. Health and Welfare LPA (LPA HW)
This allows your attorney to make decisions about your wellbeing and medical treatment if you lose mental capacity. These may include:
- Your daily care routine (meals, hygiene, living arrangements)
- Medical treatment and healthcare decisions
- Where you live or receive care
- Life-sustaining treatment preferences
You can include instructions or preferences in your LPA to guide your attorneys — but they must be drafted carefully to avoid restricting them unnecessarily.
LPAs are becoming more common — but still underused
The number of registered LPAs rises every year, but uptake is still low compared to the UK’s adult population. Only around one in seven adults has one in place.
Why the gap? Many people assume they don’t need an LPA until they’re elderly or seriously ill. In reality, unexpected illness or injury can happen to anyone, at any age.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a turning point — it showed that health emergencies don’t discriminate by age. As more young people become homeowners, business owners, and parents, many are now setting up LPAs earlier to protect their families and finances.
Why younger people should consider an LPA
If you’re under 50, you may think an LPA is premature — but here’s why it’s not:
1. Financial protection
If you were suddenly incapacitated (for example, due to an accident or medical condition), no one would automatically have authority to manage your money — not even your spouse or parents. Without an LPA, they’d have to apply to the Court of Protection, which is both slow and expensive.
An LPA avoids that by giving your chosen attorney immediate authority to act on your behalf if needed.
2. Business continuity
If you’re self-employed or run a company, an LPA ensures someone can keep operations running — pay suppliers, access business accounts, or make payroll decisions — if you can’t.
3. Peace of mind for families
For parents and couples, an LPA gives loved ones clarity and authority during difficult situations. It helps avoid conflict and ensures that decisions reflect your personal wishes.
“I’ll do it later” could be too late
LPAs can only be registered while you still have mental capacity — that is, you understand what the document means and its consequences. Once capacity is lost, it’s too late to make one.
The current registration process typically takes 8–10 weeks, sometimes longer if there are objections or errors. Waiting until a crisis hits could leave your family powerless and stressed.
As the old saying goes, “The best time to plan was yesterday. The next best time is today.”
How to make an LPA
You can make an LPA online or on paper through the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG):
- Visit www.gov.uk/power-of-attorney
- Choose the type of LPA you want (Property & Financial or Health & Welfare — or both).
- Appoint your attorney(s) — someone you trust implicitly.
- Sign and witness the form correctly (you’ll need a certificate provider).
- Register it with the OPG — the application fee is currently £82 per LPA, rising to £92 from 17 November 2025.
If you qualify for financial assistance, you may be entitled to a fee exemption or reduction based on income or benefits.
The cost of waiting
If you lose capacity without an LPA in place, your loved ones must apply to the Court of Protection for a Deputyship Order — a process that can take months and cost thousands of pounds in legal fees.
By contrast, registering an LPA is straightforward and affordable — even after the upcoming 2025 fee increase.
It’s not about age; it’s about readiness.
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